Matchday Details
Friday, 10 April 2026 – 8:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Ashley Klein | Bunker: Chris Butler
Brisbane Broncos
1. Jesse Arthars, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Deine Mariner, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds (c), 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Blake Mozer, 15. Xavier Willison, 16. Ben Talty, 17. Aublix Tawha, 18. Thomas Duffy, 19. Hayze Perham, 20. Jaiyden Hunt, 21. Va’a Semu, 22. Josh Rogers
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Braidon Burns, 3. Jaxon Purdue, 4. Tom Chester, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Tom Dearden (c), 8. Coen Hess, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Jason Taumalolo, 11. Heilum Luki, 12. Kai O’Donnell, 13. Reuben Cotter, 14. Soni Luke, 15. Griffin Neame, 16. Thomas Mikaele, 17. Matthew Lodge, 18. Zac Laybutt, 19. Mason Barber, 20. Harrison Edwards, 21. Kaiden Lahrs, 22. Robert Derby
Match Preview
While the rivalry has not carried the same weight since North Queensland’s golden patch under Johnathan Thurston finished, this XXXX Derby could be a contest well‑suited to the prime‑time Friday night timeslot.
The Broncos and Cowboys have had similar seasons: both started 0-2 (with pressure rising on Todd Payten and plenty of rumours about Michael Maguire’s influence and the Broncos’ potential premiership hangover) and both won their next three. The Cowboys (seventh) are ahead of Brisbane (eighth) on points differential.
Brisbane started with a comeback win over Melbourne (that felt similar to the 2025 Grand Final), followed by wins over the Dolphins and Gold Coast both by 26-12 scorelines. This match marks their third straight against Queensland opposition.
North Queensland’s opening win over the Titans attracted limited attention in the Sunday night “graveyard” timeslot, but their comeback victory against Melbourne and emphatic win over St George Illawarra in Sydney were significantly more impressive and helped ease the pressure on Payten.
Brisbane hold a 42‑20 record against the Cowboys since 1995, with two draws. However, North Queensland have closed the gap somewhat, having not recorded their first victory over Brisbane until 2004. The Broncos have won the past six meetings between the sides, dating back to 2023, while the Cowboys have not beaten Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium since 2022.
There are two major omissions for Brisbane: Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt. Jesse Arthars replaces Walsh after filling in at fullback when he left the field last week, while Blake Mozer steps into the No.14 jersey in Hunt’s absence. Adam Reynolds has been named despite playing just 25 minutes against the Titans.
For North Queensland, Kai O’Donnell replaces Sam McIntyre, while Braidon Burns has been selected despite carrying a minor ankle sprain from last week.
The duel between halfbacks and captains Adam Reynolds and Tom Dearden could prove decisive. Reynolds is doing everything possible to maximise his final NRL season. With Hunt unavailable, the onus will fall more heavily on Reynolds to lead Brisbane toward a second home win in 2026.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Broncos by 6
Bold call: Arthars to step into Walsh’s shoes again with a try double.
Related
- NRL Round 6 2026 Predictions & Tips
- NRL Round 6 Team Lists – 2026 Season
- NRL 2026 Results Tracker
- 2026 NRL Match Review Results Tracker: Charges, Suspensions & Fines
- NRL Injury List 2026
